NEWS ITEM: OUTBREAK KILLS RABBITS IN SW INDIANA
- Thread starter mambo101
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irishmist
Well-Known Member
Boy oh boy that is pretty scary!Considering I live in that town. I am glad we did not pick upthe bunny we saw last week at the pet store. That would havebeen devastating. Apparently the place where we bought ourbaby a month ago was from the same breeder :?
Llama
Well-Known Member
Man oh man, that is just devastating. Luckily Ilive in North East Indiana otherwise my girls would be on quarantinefrom each other just in case. :shock:
naturestee
Well-Known Member
You LIVE there, irishmist? I would be in fullpanic stage! I got nervous when I read Pam's posting bit ago, and Ilive in Wisconsin!
rabbitgirl
Well-Known Member
It's the awful VHD, viral hemorrhagic disease. I believe UK rabbits are actually vaccinated for it.....
Rose
Rose
irishmist
Well-Known Member
Yep I live there,and until this thingis gone NO ONE is allowed in the house or near the bunnies until theyhave washed their hands or any exposed skin. This is a littletoo close for comfort!
dixonsrabbitry
Well-Known Member
Until they find the surce where the infectedrabbits came from in kentucky, this thing is not gonna go away. Theyknow where the swap meet is located at. but they don't know where orwhat rabbits had it. I live in michigan, and am going to optout hitting up local auctions, flea markets, and swap meets from now.This isn't a rare disease. Its just that we don't see it in the statesthat often because ARBA and aphis have worked very hard to keep it outof the states. but everytime there is an out break, they get itcontained, but they can't figure out how the bunnies got it. Like withthe Utah, and Newyork incidents 4 years ago.
Thanks for giving a heads up on the guy selling to petstores. otherinformation I am seeing is saying otherwise. ThoughIsuspectedit was happening. I hope that petstore has quarantined their rabbits,and found another more relaible breeder.
I hate to sound doubtful, but until they figure out just where it came from, they aren't gonna be able to control it.
Thanks for giving a heads up on the guy selling to petstores. otherinformation I am seeing is saying otherwise. ThoughIsuspectedit was happening. I hope that petstore has quarantined their rabbits,and found another more relaible breeder.
I hate to sound doubtful, but until they figure out just where it came from, they aren't gonna be able to control it.
naturestee
Well-Known Member
Which begs the question- why don't we have a vaccine in the States yet?
pamnock
Well-Known Member
irishmist wrote:
Pam
The virus is also easily carried on car tires andshoes. Many ranches practicingbiosecurityhave a "foot bath" for visitors to dip their shoesin.
Pam
pamnock
Well-Known Member
naturestee wrote:
Thedisease is easier to contain in the US than in othercountries because the US does not have a wild species such as theEuropean Harethat serves as a virus reservoir easilyspreading the disease throughout the country.
So far, this policy has prevented the diseasefrom becomingendemic to the United States. While it may not cause ahardship for pet owners to vaccinate, it would be an economic burdenfor large breeders to vaccinate their herds.
Quote directly taken fromUSDASeptember 15, 1997
"VHD is classified as foreign to the US. The USDA has taken the stancethat if the disease is discovered in the US that an eradication programwould be initiated at that time. Therefore, administration of a vaccinewould be contraindicated. Since no VHD vaccine is licensed for use inthe US and no company would realize any profit from pursuit of such aproduct there is no change anticipated in policy from the USDA."
Pam
The current policy is toeuthanize any rabbits that testpositive or are suspectedof having been exposed to thevirus. An extensive outbreak of this virus in the US couldresult in the slaughter of millions of rabbits in theUS.Vaccinatedrabbits will testpositive for VHD, and under current policy would be euthanized.
Thedisease is easier to contain in the US than in othercountries because the US does not have a wild species such as theEuropean Harethat serves as a virus reservoir easilyspreading the disease throughout the country.
So far, this policy has prevented the diseasefrom becomingendemic to the United States. While it may not cause ahardship for pet owners to vaccinate, it would be an economic burdenfor large breeders to vaccinate their herds.
Quote directly taken fromUSDASeptember 15, 1997
"VHD is classified as foreign to the US. The USDA has taken the stancethat if the disease is discovered in the US that an eradication programwould be initiated at that time. Therefore, administration of a vaccinewould be contraindicated. Since no VHD vaccine is licensed for use inthe US and no company would realize any profit from pursuit of such aproduct there is no change anticipated in policy from the USDA."
Pam
naturestee
Well-Known Member
Thanks Pam!
Foreign to the US my butt! Isn't this the third outbreak?
Foreign to the US my butt! Isn't this the third outbreak?
pamnock
Well-Known Member
naturestee wrote:
Yes, there have been other outbreaks, often traced to rabbits importedfrom other countries. The disease is not endemic to the US.
It is a disease of the wildEuropean rabbit,whichdoes not inhabit the USin the wild. (exceptfor a few feral colonies)
Pam
Yes, there have been other outbreaks, often traced to rabbits importedfrom other countries. The disease is not endemic to the US.
It is a disease of the wildEuropean rabbit,whichdoes not inhabit the USin the wild. (exceptfor a few feral colonies)
Pam
Fluffy
Well-Known Member
yer that what i was thinking i heard that too!! anwyay that well bad!! i hate it when lil inicent bunnie dies!!
